A Professor of Magic at Hogwarts

On the other side, Felix sat on the office couch flipping through the newspapers of the past few days.

These articles gave him a sense of temporal disorientation. The first edition featured Amelia Bones answering journalists' questions, announcing the end of ancient magical language exchange activities. Felix hadn't attended, yet the journalists often placed a photo of him nearby, so occasionally he'd see 'Felix' in the photo wandering off somewhere else...

But turning to another page revealed the remnants of battles outside Hogsmeade village: the earth plowed and shattered, resembling irregular furrows. There were mounds of dirt, charred stones, dark holes, and deep pits.

Felix wondered why they hadn't taken the time to fill it all in.

At that moment, Valen hopped onto the small table, pointing a tiny finger at him, looking quite proud.

"Squeak!"

"You want to duel me?" Felix chuckled, watching Valen seriously nod.

From a small pocket, it produced a wand, surprising Felix for a few seconds before realizing it wasn't an actual wand but an alchemical item.

Valen dramatically waved it, causing a swooshing sound, followed by a whirlwind lifting Felix from the couch.

Sitting cross-legged on the whirlwind, Felix remarked, "Hmm? Quite interesting. Is this an improvement from Fred and George's 'fake wand'?"

Valen nervously stiffened its neck, shaking its head. No, it was Valen's own spellcasting!

Suspended on the couch, Felix reached out, grabbed Valen's neck from behind, and shook it. Valen hurriedly covered its small pocket, and the fake wand dropped into Felix's hand.

"Let's make some modifications," Felix said, examining it, suddenly intrigued. He had been busy converting magical creature-like talents into rune magic lately, then engaging with representatives from various countries. Now it was time for a change of pace.

"I've realized that some of Miss Granger's ideas might suit this. Magical frequencies... another treasure trove."

Magical creatures inherently held magic; otherwise, they couldn't use creature-like magical talents. However, Nifflers were relatively weak creatures, notable for their keen sense of smell, knack for treasure hunting, and their most prominent ability—a pocket that could hide things.

But they indeed possessed magic, which was enough.

"I need to test your magical frequency to craft a wand for you... what magic would you like to add?" Felix turned to Valen.

Its eyes began to gleam.

"Squeak!!!"

That night, it gleefully received its new treasure, trying it a few times with astonishing results. Valen clung to it even in sleep. From then on, it wasn't just a wandering merchant Niffler; it was a magical Niffler.

No more just anyone could pick it up.

Hmph.

The next day, Halloween finally arrived.

Harry entered the Great Hall, unexpectedly spotting a tall figure at the door.

Hagrid was back.

Excitedly, Harry rushed over. Hagrid had several bruises on his face, but thankfully, no new injuries. That seemed to indicate Grawp's progress was decent. Wonder how it compared to Valen? Harry couldn't help but wonder.

"Thank goodness, Hagrid, you've finally decided to show up?" Harry exclaimed enthusiastically.

"Shh, keep it down," Hagrid bent over, trying to hide, but he was too conspicuous, making his actions somewhat comical. "I just got back to school, remember? There were things..."

"Anyway, you've remembered to come back and teach us," Harry said.

"Yeah, I reckon the time's right," Hagrid scratched his chin and smiled.

"What's that?" Harry noticed a large wooden box beside Hagrid.

Hagrid was about to explain when Luna and Ginny entered together. He quickly changed his tune, "Oh, that? It's a toolbox."

"Hi, Hagrid," Luna greeted warmly, "Are you planning to teach again?"

Harry chuckled; Luna asked the same question he just did.

Hagrid looked a bit flustered, repeating his previous reason, "I just got back to school, had some leave before that."

"Ferenzi said—"

"He got it wrong," Hagrid quickly responded.

"Oh," Luna didn't press further, as if accepting the explanation, diverting the topic herself, "You better check the Forbidden Forest; Thestrals have their king now."

"Really?" Hagrid stared at her in disbelief, not quite convinced.

Luna nodded solemnly.

"I'll ask Ubu then," Hagrid said dubiously, "If there's a stranger Thestral settling in the Forbidden Forest, I need to know if it's aggressive..."

"Is Ubu the most lively one? Brightest eyes?" Luna said happily, "I call it Ooo, sounds about right."

"I'll go in first, Hagrid," Harry said, glanced at Ginny, she smiled at him, and he quickly slipped into the Great Hall, taking a few steps before glancing back; Hagrid and Luna were engrossed in their conversation.

Halloween feast began.

Harry saw Hagrid and Professor Snape sitting together, their forks twirling on the napkin laid across Hagrid's chest, as if threading a needle preparing to sew. Then Hagrid picked up a plate of fried fish, sneaked a glance around, and stashed it under the table.

"What's up?" Ron mumbled, biting into a sausage.

"I think I know what Hagrid's brought that box for," Harry said, it was for the giant, Grawp.

"Look at these, they're quite beautiful," Hagrid pointed to the decorative bats on the ceiling, gruffly admiring, "They remind me of Thestrals, their wings are just the same, I mean, in shape..."

"Quite astonishing," Felix said.

He gestured towards a huge roasted pumpkin on the table, and it quickly shrank to the size of a lantern.

"You can take it home," he winked.

"Oh, uh, thanks," Hagrid said, leaning in to explain in a hushed tone, "Little Grawp will love it."

"Who's little Grawp?" Professor Flitwick interjected, his fork seemed enchanted, extending way beyond the normal length, and the other end turned into a hook, pulling a plate from afar.

Hagrid looked enviously, then murmured, "Never mind, I can help you finish."

Felix glanced at the teacher's table. Snape remained as aloof as ever, not engaging in conversation with colleagues. Felix could guess his days hadn't been too easy lately, wondering if Voldemort had privately summoned him.

Professors McGonagall and Lupin were discussing something quietly.

"Oh, no, detention at the school is the lightest punishment," McGonagall set down her fork, speaking with a stern expression.

Finally, Felix's gaze settled in the middle, Dumbledore's usual spot.

But it was empty now.

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